The Clincher

Chevelle (sometimes typed as CheVelle) is an American hard rock that formed in 1995 in Grayslake, Illinois. The band originally comprised three brothers: Pete (lead vocals/guitar), Sam (drums/percussion), and Joe Loeffler (bass/vocals). Joe left the band in 2005 and was replaced by Dean Bernardini soon after. Chevelle has sold nearly two million albums in the United States. Their second album, Wonder What's Next, was certified Platinum by the RIAA. Since its formation, Chevelle has released four studio albums, one live album, and one DVD.

Chevelle's primary musical influences as stated by the band members are Helmet, Tool, and The Cure. Chevelle has frequently been compared to Tool throughout its career, specifically when the band released its music video for "Mia" featuring a claymation doll throughout the video, much like the Tool music video for "Stinkfist". Pete Loeffler's singing voice has been highly compared to that of Tool's Maynard James Keenan, and the band's music has been compared to Tool's "dark" tone of music.


Chevelle recorded a demo known as The Blue album, and played small concerts for the next three years until they were signed on to Squint Entertainment. The band recorded for 17 days in Electrical Audio studios, and in 1999, Chevelle released its first full length album, Point #1

Years later, Squint Entertainment shut down and the band were signed on to Epic Records in 2002. That year Chevelle released its second studio album Wonder What's Next on Epic Records. The band released the single "The Red", which reached number three on the Mainstream rock charts, and the video was played in regular rotation on MTV. Wonder What's Next soon peaked at number 14 on the United States Billboard 200 album chart.

Prior to the release of Chevelle's third full-length album This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In), the youngest of the brothers, the bassist Joe Loeffler, was dismissed from Chevelle. This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In) was recorded in early 2004, and was released in September 2004. The album debuted at number eight on the Billboard 200, and was certified gold by the RIAA six weeks later. The song "Vitamin R (Leading Us Along)" was released as the first single from the album and reached the number one position on the Mainstream Rock chart. In 2006 Chevelle supported Nickelback for an arena tour across the United States, with a new permanent bassist, the Loeffler brothers' brother in-law and long time friend, Dean Bernardini.

In 2006 Chevelle recorded its fourth studio album titled Vena Sera. Vena Sera was released in April 2007, debuting at number 12 on the Billboard 200. "Well Enough Alone", the first single from the album, reached number four on the Mainstream rock charts. On their tour in Australia, Chevelle's band manager Rose died of cancer, much to the distress of the band.
On May 9, 2007, during a show in Fort Worth, Texas Chevelle's trailer containing all of the band's equipment was stolen from the hotel at which the members were staying. The band posted a notice saying, "Most items are labeled 'Chevelle' and if you notice anything suspicious on eBay or other online resellers selling 'authentic' Chevelle items... guitar, basses, drums amplifiers, risers, backdrops, tee shirts... please call the police...". A month later in an interview, Sam Loeffler stated,

"Of the 14 guitars, we got two of 'em, and then we got some amplifiers back and our monitor system. So it's really, I mean it's cool because it's kind of like Christmas, only really weird. People have been calling us and saying, 'Hey, I bought this or that', and you know, we're just doing our best to buy it back from them. And certainly the issue is not a money issue, it's about having the pieces of gear that you did all your records with."

Recently, on October 8 2008, Pete posted a Myspace blog announcing that they have been working on new material for their next album, and had around 7 song ideas. On December 28 2008, Dean posted a Myspace blog saying "Tomorrow I go to our studio to put down what is now the last of the bass parts for this album's rough draft".

Band Members

Current
× Pete Loeffler: vocals, guitars (1995–present)
× Sam Loeffler: drums (1995–present)
× Dean Bernardini: bass, live backing vocals (2005–present)

Former
× Matt Scott: bass (1995–1996)
× Joe Loeffler: bass, live backing vocals (1995–2005)
× Geno Lenardo: bass (2005, live fill-in)


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